No. 3 Ohio State.
The Buckeyes will lose a number of major players to the NFL, but the inherent talent base will keep Urban Meyer and his team among the nation’s elite.
(Running back J.K. Dobbins) Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

No. 8 Washington.
Chris Petersen’s track record should have the Huskies optimistic about their chances to improve on a 10-win finish in 2017 and carry the flag for the Pac-12 Conference.
(Coach Chris Petersen) Mark J. Rebilas,USA TODAY Sports

No. 10 Michigan State.Michigan State’s bounce-back 2017 season paints a bright picture for 2018, with an offense built around quarterback Brian Lewerke and a defense that returns the wide majority of this year’s main contributors.(Linebacker Joe Bachie) Mike Carter, Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

No. 12 Stanford.
Hopes do hinge on Bryce Love’s decision regarding the NFL, but the Cardinal will get better play at quarterback and bring back each of their four leading receivers.
(Offensive lineman Walker Little) Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports

No. 13 Auburn.
An issue is the Tigers’ schedule, which includes first-half dates with Washington, LSU and Mississippi State, and road games in November against Georgia and Alabama.
(Quarterback Jarrett Stidham) Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports

No. 15 Notre Dame.
There is experience back at key spots, including quarterback, and the schedule is on paper one of the friendliest in recent program history.
(Quarterback Brandon Wimbush) Sergio Estrada, Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

No. 16 Michigan.
2018 could be the year to crack the upper echelon, especially given the Wolverines’ defense, but that’s only half the battle. Can Harbaugh find a quarterback?
(Defensive lineman Rashan Gary) Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports

No. 19 LSU
This is a top-10 team in pure talent, as is always the case. Whether this current coaching staff can get the Tigers into that class remains up for debate.
(Running back Derrius Guice) Matt Stamey, USA TODAY Sports

No. 20 Kansas State
It will be a pretty typical bunch of Wildcats: physical on offense, explosive in the running game, underrated in the front seven and opportunistic on special teams.
(Coach Bill Snyder) Casey Sapio, Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

No. 21 Florida Atlantic.
The offense will have taken even firmer hold and the defense will get a nice influx of talent to keep the Owls at the top of Conference USA.
(Quarterback Jason Driskel) Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports

No. 23 Oklahoma State.
The Cowboys are not a dark-horse Playoff contender but definitely are a threat to take eight or nine games during the regular season. It won’t always be a smooth ride, however.
(Running back Justice Hill) Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports

No. 24 Iowa State.
After breaking through in a big way this past fall, coach Matt Campbell has Iowa State destined to become an even bigger thorn in the sides of the established programs in the Big 12.
(Tight end Chase Allen) Reese Strickland, USA TODAY Sports